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Lakers: Ranking LeBron James and the 10 best players in the NBA

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

5. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Yes, LeBron James is still the face of the NBA and is the second-greatest player in league history. As it currently stands, there are four guys in the league that I would take over the Los Angeles Lakers superstar as being the best players in the NBA.

Don’t get me wrong, if we are heading into a do-or-die game and he is completely healthy, LeBron James is the last player you want to see. He is still the most reliable player in the league in big spots because he has played in so many of them. If the Los Angeles Lakers weren’t so bad this season then he would have put up great playoff numbers yet again.

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However, it is not controversial to say that LeBron is no longer at his peak form. Sure, he averaged the second-most points per game of his career at 37 years old but that was by design. LeBron cannot play with the same physicality every single night that he once could and that is apparent by the fact that he attempted eight threes per game, which is by far a career-high.

Defensively, LeBron has not tried for years, although he can still be a good help defender when he actually puts in the effort. LeBron is absolutely still good enough to pilot the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA Championship; the front office just has to give him a far better supporting cast.

But at the end of the day, there are four players who have past him up on the NBA’s hierarchy and LeBron himself should know that.